Perham man charged with felony criminal sexual conduct

Detroit Lakes, Minn. (KDLM) – A Perham man has been charged in Becker County District Court with three felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

On July 7, law enforcement was informed by a parent that their daughter, who was under the age of 16, had sexual intercourse with 34-year-old George Edward Johnson of Perham, while they were parked in his vehicle in Detroit Lakes.

According to court records, the girl told investigators she rode her bicycle to a retail area in Detroit Lakes about three weeks ago, which is also where Johnson works.

She had met him previously and he had offered her marijuana in the past.

Johnson offered to give the girl a ride in his vehicle in order to pick up her friends. While they were driving around waiting for the girl’s friends to respond to messages. Johnson then allegedly parked the vehicle in a secluded area near some railroad tracks where the sexual interaction took place.

Following the incident, Johnson told the girl to not tell anyone because he could get fired from his job.

He was arrested on July 20 and denied having any sexual contact with the girl.

Johnson posted $2,000 bail with conditions that include a no-contact order and predatory offender registration.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 18.